Melanie / St. Paul, MN / Film Portrait Session

Here's a collection of photographs made with my friend Melanie. We just chilled and had coffee and great conversation in-between making some rad portraits together. Everything took place in her small, but perfect apartment. I know, for most people, its hard being photographed. Any time I'm in front of someones camera I remind myself that my openness, honesty and trust is whats needed to make great portraits. But, thats hard. It's easier to shut ourselves in. It's easier to let insecurity rule and totally stifle creativity. I'm so thankful for Melanie and everyone who lets me and my camera(s) into their world. It's no small thing. Really. It's somewhat heroic. So, lets create something together.    

Camera's : Polaroid 180 / Polaroid SX-70 / Pentax 645 / Mamiya 7II / Holga

Film : Kodak Portra 400 + 800 / Illford HP5+ / Fuji 3000b Instant / Impossible Project b/w 2.0

b/w film developed and scanned at home / color film developed and scanned at Indie Film Lab

Brent + Lauren's Wedding / Stout's Island Lodge / Birchwood, WI

When Lauren contacted me, she mentioned her wedding was taking place on an island in Northern Wisconsin, in the city of Birchwood. I replied, as giddy as can be "oh, you mean the Bluegill capital of the world?" For those that don't know, a Bluegill is a fish and I love fishing. The excited inner child in me came out as a flood of memories resurfaced…fishing the creeks near my grandma's house in Rice Lake, spending summer afternoons at our family cabin, so appropriately named "the shack", located only a few miles from Birchwood. We explored the woods and got into all kinds of trouble. These memories and this place never leave you and I was reminded once again at how much I miss it and need to let my own kids experience life apart from a big city. Shortly after Lauren mentioning the location and after I calmed back down...we had another conversation about why she chose this location and what type of wedding and photography she desired. As excited as I was about the potential of photographing a wedding on an island, in the woods, I was more excited about what I heard her say about photography. Simply put, she wanted someone who would be a guest and take photos of the event as it happened. And here is what happened on this "Island of Happy Days"...

And then it was still. A beautiful calm. I sat and waited for the ferry to pick me up and bring me back to my car, while the day and all its emotion and energy was left ringing in my head. Exhale. What an amazing job.

Venue : Stout's Island Lodge / Birchwood, WI

Florals : Forever in Bloom / MN

Hair & Make Up : Joee Nelson

Videography : Little Village Films

Brides Dress : Blush / Hayley Paige

Bridesmaids : Adrianna Papell

Grooms Suit : Michael Kors

Band : Ol' Yeller

Catering : Stout's Island Lodge